Black Bear

Black bears are the only bear species that can be found in Berkshire County. In recent years this large mammal has become increasingly common and less afraid of people. Though black bears are generally timid and not interested in hurting humans, they are often found in neighborhoods scrounging for food, so it is important to recognize the potential danger and warn youngsters not to approach one. Black bears may weigh as much as 450 pounds. This species is omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of vegetable and animal life: grasses, fruit, berries, roots, ants, honey, and any birds, mammals, fish and frogs it can catch. For additional information on local bears and other large mammals, visit The Massachusetts Wildlife Program And Lynn Roger's organization dedicated to bear research and education, The Wildlife Research Center.

Star-nosed Mole

In appearance, the star-nosed mole resembles the common mole except for the peculiar snout ending in a fringe apparently used for finding foods such as earthworms, grubs and beetles. These small insectivores have eyes, although they are often hidden beneath fur.

Muskrat

One of the larger rodents found locally, it is almost never found far from water where it feeds mostly upon aquatic plants. Its home, while superficially resembling that of its larger cousin the beaver, is made of rushes, cattails and other aquatic plants

Rabbits and hares are common names, often applied interchangeably, for small, furry mammals with long ears, long legs, and short tails. Rabbits are distinguished by the helplessness of their offspring. Young rabbits are born naked with their eyes closed. The cottontail (top picture on left) builds its simple nest on the surface, usually in grass or brush, and rarely lives in social groups. Hares are generally larger and have longer ears with characteristic black markings. The skulls of rabbits and hares are also different. The varying or snowshoe hare (lower picture) and cottontail rabbits are both found locally, with hares found chiefly in the uplands (at higher elevations) and rabbits in the lowlands.